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chicken caesar pasta salad

CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, savory Caesar flavors, crisp romaine lettuce, tender pasta, and crispy chicken cutlets. The pasta is tossed in a simple homemade Caesar dressing then finished with slices of golden, crispy chicken.

Ingredients
  

For the Caesar Dressing
  • 150 g mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • tsp anchovy paste
  • tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 10 g freshly grated Parmesan, or more to taste
For the Pasta Salad
  • 1 box pasta of your choice, cooked until al dente
  • 1 large chicken breast, sliced into 3–4 thin cutlets
  • 3 heaping tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • cup regular breadcrumbs
  • Dried oregano
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika, preferably smoked paprika
  • Neutral oil, for frying
  • Romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and allow the pasta to cool before assembling the salad.
Caesar Dressing
  1. Add the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, grated garlic, black pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan to a bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the Parmesan, black pepper, or lemon juice to your preference. Set aside.
  2. Slice the chicken breast horizontally into 3–4 thin cutlets, keeping them as even in thickness as possible. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Chicken Cutlets
  1. Season the flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a third bowl, combine the panko, regular breadcrumbs, and dried oregano.
  2. Coat each cutlet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip into the seasoned egg mixture, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until the entire surface is evenly coated.
  3. Heat neutral oil to around 350–375°F (180–190°C). Fry the chicken cutlets for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on their thickness, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
To Assemble
  1. Add the cooked pasta and lettuce to a large bowl and toss with the Caesar dressing until evenly coated. Slice the crispy chicken cutlets and arrange them over the pasta.
  2. Finish with additional freshly grated Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately while the chicken is still crispy.